লক্ষ্মীর ভান্ডার না অন্নপূর্ণা ভান্ডার — কোনটা বেশি সুবিধার? This is one of the most searched questions in West Bengal right now. The BJP government replaced the TMC’s Lakshmir Bhandar scheme with the new Annapurna Yojana Scheme from 1 June 2026. Both give monthly cash to women, but there are important differences.
If you were receiving Lakshmir Bhandar, you need to know what changes for you. If you were not receiving it, you need to know if you now qualify. This article answers both.
Annapurna Yojana vs Lakshmir Bhandar – Full Comparison
| Feature | Lakshmir Bhandar (TMC) | Annapurna Yojana (BJP) |
|---|---|---|
| Government | TMC Government | BJP Government |
| Monthly Amount — General | ₹500 | ₹3,000 |
| Monthly Amount — SC/ST | ₹1,000 | ₹3,000 |
| Annual Amount | ₹6,000 – ₹12,000 | ₹36,000 |
| Age Limit | 25 – 60 years | 25 – 60 years |
| Residence | West Bengal | West Bengal + Voter list |
| Ration Card Required | No | Helpful but not mandatory |
| Payment Method | DBT | DBT |
| Existing beneficiaries | — | Auto-migrated — no reapplication |
| New applications | Old portal | wbpds.wb.gov.in from 1 June 2026 |
| Status (2026) | Replaced | Active from 1 June 2026 |
| Helpline | — | 1967 |
How Much More Will Women Get?
💰 The Difference in Real Numbers
| Period | Lakshmir Bhandar (General) | Annapurna Yojana | Extra Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per Month | ₹500 | ₹3,000 | +₹2,500 |
| Per Year | ₹6,000 | ₹36,000 | +₹30,000 |
| Per Month (SC/ST) | ₹1,000 | ₹3,000 | +₹2,000 |
| Per Year (SC/ST) | ₹12,000 | ₹36,000 | +₹24,000 |
What Happens to Existing Lakshmir Bhandar Recipients?
✅ Automatic Migration — No Fresh Application Needed
The West Bengal government has confirmed that all existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries will be automatically migrated to Annapurna Yojana. Your payments will continue — and increase to ₹3,000 from 1 June 2026.
What you must verify before 1 June 2026:
- ✅Your Aadhaar is linked to your active bank account — check at NPCI portal or your bank
- ✅Complete the beneficiary verification process at your BDO or SDO office if asked
- ✅Your bank account is active and not dormant — make at least one transaction if it has been inactive
What Is the Same Between Both Schemes?
ℹ️ What Stayed the Same
- ✅Age limit — both schemes cover women aged 25 to 60 years
- ✅Payment method — both use DBT directly to Aadhaar-linked bank account
- ✅Target group — women from low-income families without government salary or pension
- ✅Residence requirement — must be a permanent West Bengal resident
What Changed Under Annapurna Yojana?
❌ What Was Removed (Lakshmir Bhandar)
- ❌ Lower monthly amount (₹500–₹1,000)
- ❌ Separate SC/ST and general category rates
- ❌ TMC-run administration and portal
✅ What Is New (Annapurna Yojana)
- ✅ Uniform ₹3,000 for everyone
- ✅ New portal — wbpds.wb.gov.in
- ✅ Voter list verification added
- ✅ Helpline 1967 for queries
- ✅ Duare Sarkar camps for offline apply
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lakshmir Bhandar completely replaced by Annapurna Yojana?
Yes. Annapurna Yojana replaced Lakshmir Bhandar from 1 June 2026.
লক্ষ্মীর ভান্ডার কি বন্ধ হয়ে গেছে?
হ্যাঁ। ১ জুন ২০২৬ থেকে লক্ষ্মীর ভান্ডারের পরিবর্তে অন্নপূর্ণা ভান্ডার চালু হয়েছে।
Do existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries need to apply again?
No. Eligible beneficiaries are expected to be migrated automatically after verification.
Can women who have never received Lakshmir Bhandar apply for Annapurna Yojana?
Yes. New eligible applicants can apply through the official portal or designated government offices.
Is the payment amount the same for all women under Annapurna Yojana?
Yes. All eligible beneficiaries receive ₹3,000 per month, regardless of category.
Do I need to change my bank account details after migration?
Only if your bank account has changed. Ensure your Aadhaar-linked bank account is active to receive payments.
🏁 Final Thoughts
Annapurna Yojana is a significant upgrade over Lakshmir Bhandar in terms of monthly amount — ₹3,000 vs ₹500–₹1,000. বাংলার মহিলারা এখন ছয়গুণ বেশি টাকা পাবেন। Whether you were enrolled before or not, if you are eligible, apply on 1 June 2026 and secure your monthly benefit.